The injury occurred midway through Wednesday’s practice, the Spartans’s first of the preseason in full pads. An MRI exam after practiced confirmed the injury will require surgery.

Davis, a fifth-year senior, was approaching his second season as Michigan State’s starting Sam linebacker. The Detroit native was a preseason All-Big Ten pick by numerous outlets, and last year he earned All-Big Ten honorable mention from coaches and media after recording 58 tackles (12 for loss), seven sacks, two pass deflections and one forced fumble. Davis was also the defensive recipient of Michigan State’s Outstanding Underclass Lineman Award.

Michigan State finished No. 8 in total defense (315.8 yards allowed per game) and No. 22 in scoring defense (21.5 points allowed per game) last season, an 11–2 campaign that culminated in a Cotton Bowl win over Baylor.

Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio addressed Davis’s injury through a series of tweets sent by the program Wednesday night.